State Patrol Trooper finds 540 pounds of marijuana

A traffic stop Tuesday, January 25, 2005, near the Waverly Interchange on Interstate 80, led to the discovery of 540 pounds of marijuana. The marijuana was packed in boxes inside a U-Haul being pulled by a Ford Expedition with California plates.

A Nebraska State Patrol trooper stopped the eastbound SUV around 2:30 p.m., Tuesday for following to close. The driver of the vehicle wearing a DEA hat, produced INS credentials, and displayed an INS portfolio. He told the trooper he was currently working for the Department of Homeland Security. The driver and his passenger also gave conflicting stories regarding their travel itinerary and relationship status.

Permission to search the vehicle and trailer was requested. The request was denied. A K-9 and handler responded to the scene. The Police Service Dog indicated an odor of drugs in the U-Haul trailer. A search of the trailer yielded approximately 540 pounds of marijuana.

Lodged in the Lancaster County Jail on a charge of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, were Gary Ward, DOB,( 3-22-71,) Lakewood, California, driver of the vehicle and a female passenger Sokha Keo, DOB,(12-12-80,) Long Beach, California.